Driving Through the Fog

This past weekend I had the privilege of speaking at the Awana Ministry Conference in Yorktown, Virginia. I met some awesome leaders, visited with old friends, laughed a lot and rejoiced in seeing so many so passionate about sharing the gospel. On the way home, we met with some fog – not so much in the mountains but in the flatlands of Ohio and Indiana. For almost two hours, I drove though clouded conditions.

That happens when any of us are on a trip. We’re never quite sure what weather conditions we’ll face. I’ve been in New England during a hurricane and camping in the Rockies (in June) i when it snowed.

And this time it was fog that went on and on and on.

Which made me think about kids and think about life. Sometimes life doesn’t go as smoothly as we would like. Sometimes we face the tough times and feel lost and alone in the “fog.”

Being that this is the way my mind works, I thought, “So if I had children in the car, what could we talk about when looking at the fog?”

And I focused on all of the verses that talk about light in the darkness.

For instance: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

Although the fog blocked out the surrounding houses, trees and fields, I could still see the lights of an approaching car. The darkness could cover a lot, but did not cover the light.

Or: Jesus once again addressed them: “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” (John 8:12)

The only time we could see what was around us was when we were near streetlights. They glowed in the darkness.

Other “light” verses.

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:6

Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark. (John 12:44-46)

When you get in situations like this with your kids, ask them to come up with an illustration or verse in the Bible that describes what you are seeing.

Ask how seeing the light in the darkness reminds them of the Bible.

In other words, challenge them to think through what they are seeing (rather than lecturing them or doing all the talking yourself).

Not only will this help your kids use some brain power, but this will pass the time while in a potentially dangerous situation.

Use what’s around you to start a conversation about God’s Word. Christianity is our life, not simply a Sunday morning destination.